Chapter 198: Chapter 206

“I’m doing this for Floretta too. I don’t want to see the girl’s happiness ruined just because of your selfish desires.”

“What do you mean ‘ruined’?”

Evander’s expression clouded over in an instant as he walked toward the woman slowly, emanating a chilling aura.

Angeline immediately realized she had spoken inappropriately, but it was too late to regret her words.

Not daring to look him in the eye, she stepped back until her body collided with the table behind her with a bang, and the pain made her brows crease.

Yet, the man merely held her chin with his slender fingers and glared at her from above.

“Don’t overestimate your worth, Angeline. Do you really think I wouldn’t be able to get another woman to distract Floretta?”

“I…”

Angeline was at a loss for words. She wanted to retaliate but felt as though all her strength had left her.

He’s right. This is Evander Golding we’re talking about. God knows how many women would throw themselves at him at just a snap of his fingers! Why am I even worried?

“I was just giving you a kind reminder, Mr. Golding. If you think my advice is unnecessary, you can always choose not to listen.”

Looking slightly glum, the woman attempted to push Evander aside and leave.

Unfortunately, her words only served to aggravate him. A hint of rage flickered in his eyes as he grabbed onto her arm and pulled her back in his direction.

“You’re running off without giving me an explanation?” the man questioned with gritted teeth, pressing his body against hers to narrow the gap between them.

They were so close that she could feel his breath on her skin.

While staring at him, Angeline gulped as she forced herself to calm down.

“Why do I need to explain anything? I did nothing wrong.”

“You’re the one who wanted to cut ties with me, so why are you getting all concerned about Floretta and poking your nose into my business now?” Evander demanded, keeping a tight gaze on her.

Angeline furrowed her brows. Although she couldn’t understand why he was getting so worked up, she couldn’t deny that she was starting to feel the same.

“Why do we have to let Floretta get affected by what happened between us? Even if we can’t be together, shouldn’t you still try to make it seem like we get along—at least for her sake?”

“As friends?” Evander scoffed.

He was about to continue when another voice rang out.

“I’ve got your water, Angel!”

The door flew open as Floretta walked in with a glass of water.

The two looked especially intimate from her point of view, and she giggled while covering her eyes with one hand.

“You’re being so lovey-dovey, Daddy and Angel.”

Hearing that, Angeline flushed red as she shoved Evander away, not forgetting to shoot him a reproachful glance.

What’s wrong with him, suddenly closing in on me like a maniac? It isn’t appropriate for Floretta to see us like that.

“It’s not what you think, Floretta. You’re still a child and shouldn’t make up stories like that.”

The little girl nodded solemnly.

“I know. My teachers have already taught me that,” she replied obediently. “Do you still want your water, Angel?”

“Yes, please and thank you.”

The glass of water was initially just an excuse to send Floretta away temporarily, but now, Angeline was really starting to feel thirsty after the argument with Evander.

Hence, she took the glass from the child, raised her head, and drank all the water in one go.

“Let’s go home, Floretta.”

Evander spoke in a deep voice as he walked toward Floretta with a cold expression, reaching for her hand.

Yet, the girl refused to budge and held onto her father’s arm tightly instead.

“It’s Saturday tomorrow, Daddy. Can I please stay with Angel?” she pleaded.

“What are you talking about? Can you even stand living in a hospital?”

Floretta nodded fervently, her eyes reflecting her sincerity.

“I’m not a kid anymore, Daddy. I don’t need you to protect me every second of the day. I can get through anything as long as I’m with Angel.”

Wavering slightly as he heard that, Evander glanced at Angeline in consideration.

He knew exactly what his daughter was capable of once she was stirred up.

Given how she had just snuck out and made her way to the police station earlier today, he didn’t want to be too harsh with his words at the moment.

Seeing the awkward situation Evander was in, Angeline stepped in without any further delay.

“Let Floretta come with me tonight, Mr. Golding. I’m staying in a premium hospital suite that comes with an extra bed, so she shouldn’t have a problem staying there.”

Besides, Sebastian was autistic and refused to communicate, so Angeline feared that his condition would only worsen if he continued to keep to himself.

Floretta’s such a bubbly girl, and she’s also Sebastian’s age. Maybe she’d be able to help him out.

“Okay. I’ll leave her to you.”

Still looking sullen, Evander was unwilling to converse much with her and added frostily, “Name a price.

I’ll pay you for all the expenses Floretta incurs.”

With that, he turned and strode out of the police station.

Floretta blinked before gazing up at the woman in confusion.

“What did Daddy mean by that, Angel?”

“Nothing.”

Smiling, Angeline took the girl by the hand and pinched her tiny nose.

“Your daddy always has such a sour look on his face. Don’t take after him, okay? It’s not cute at all.”

It was already past eight when the adults came to pick Floretta up, so Angeline hastily drove herself and the girl back to the hospital right after.

Thankfully, she had booked a premium suite for Sebastian so he could be treated in the best possible environment after leaving the ICU ward.

The suite had a living area next to the ward and was extremely quiet except for when the doctors dropped by for check-ups.

Hand in hand, Angeline and Floretta walked into the ward and saw Nancy yawning while accompanying Sebastian who was busy drawing.

“You’re back.” Nancy perked up as soon as she spotted them.

“Ms. Nancy!” Floretta called out while running toward her with open arms. “Did you miss me?”

“Of course!”

Nancy pulled the child into an embrace and caressed her head affectionately. “I missed you so much!

Oh my, you’ve gotten a lot chubbier, Darling.”

Meanwhile, Angeline kept her eyes on Sebastian, noticing the way he carried his drawing board and moved further away after seeing Floretta.

He then continued to doodle on the board with his colored pencils, paying them no heed.

Nancy turned to Angeline helplessly.

“Sebastian’s been drawing ever since you left. He’d ignore me even when I asked him to take a break and drink some water.”

Angeline’s brows furrowed as an uncomfortable feeling rose within her chest.

He has changed from not wanting to talk to focusing his attention on something, but that’s not considered progress at all. I can’t let just let him keep drawing like this. What should I do?

Just as the woman racked her brains for a solution, Floretta suddenly approached Sebastian, and her eyes lit up upon seeing his drawing.

“Wow, Sebastian! Are you drawing Peppa Pig?”